michlusa's Profile
my new favorite coffee place - fete on 3rd
maybe i'm just lazy because it's close to my apartment and 10X better than starbucks (but what isn't?). they roast their own very good strong coffee, pastries from ceci-cela (including my fav ham/cheese croissant), the room in the back has an awesome couch facing flat screen tv with random fun books. nice owner, good atmosphere - kicking a/c. anyone else feeling the love?
"Upscale" BBQ catering in Westchester?
Not sure if you had the BBQ already, but we like Memphis Mae's in Croton. Not sure how elegant chicken and ribs can be but they're sure good.
http://www.memphismaes.com/
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Memphis Mae's
173 S Riverside Ave, Croton On Hudson, NY 10520
Union Square Greenmarket advice please
If the fresh peas are in, grab them and eat them within 24 hours! Again, not sure what you're buying, but prices are rarely lower than Whole Foods prices, sometimes higher. Blue Moon fish is awesome!
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Blue Moon Mexican Cafe
1444 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021
"Experience" Restaurant NOT in Times Sq - cool aesthetics?
Morimoto - you'll be on the high side of your budget but the food is creative and good, and the decor is fun. The bathrooms are hysterical. For something more sexycool - BondSt, also Japanese.
Thanksgiving pies in Suffolk County?
Are there any places that sell great homemade pies near Medford/Patchogue?
Anyone noticing an uptick in soured or otherwise out of date food on market shelves?
I guess it shouldn't be a surprise in today's economy, but I have been noticing, and occasionally buying, stuff that has gone south from markets. Items have included premium chocolate bars, ice cream, Brie-type runny cheese. Happily, stores generally will take it back and either replace or refund and it's not the end of the world (is it?), but I was wondering if anyone else had noticed an increase in this kind of experience.
HELP... Who remembers or knows if this place still exists...
Mama Leone's came to mind immediately, followed by Patsy's (still there, near Radio City). Sardi's is also Italian and would have been populated by celebrities.
The only celeb place that I can conjure up with men's names is Joe Allen, and while it has some italian dishes, it was always known for its burgers.
And to my recollection, the strawberries the size of your fist were at the original Russia Tea Room - haven't been recently but it was a signature dish.
Forced to go to El Faro - need help!
You're right about the old school feel, which I liked. And I had a lovely rioja in lieu of sangria. I liked the salad dressing, the shrimp ajillo and all the chorizo in the paella, and I agree, they were good. My kids ate potato chips - they just don't like paprika - hopefully, they'll evolve....
Forced to go to El Faro - need help!
My parents love the place and it's their treat, so I'm keeping chowpinions to myself. Paella is OK, but is there anything else decent on the menu?
Which butcher sells best-priced, Prime dry-aged beef?
I second Ottomanellis on Bleecker
Cheesesteak near I-95 south of Philly
I've wanted to try Tony Luke's forever, so this is great news.
Cheesesteak near I-95 south of Philly
Driving from NYC to DC and want to stop for a great cheesesteak without going into town and dealing with parking. Any ideas?
Fun dinner in Philly for party of 9?
Group of 9 people of diverse ages (14-50) need a lively, attractive place for a Saturday night birthday dinner. We're staying at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue and would like to be able to walk or take a short cab ride. Italian and finned fish preferred. BYO is possible if the restaurant is near a good wine store. $60 per person limit. Thanks!
Chic-Sushi-17 year olds-NYC feel
morimoto is really fun - unrelated to the great food and creative presentation, must check out the ladies room. sushi samba is fun but the food is not half as good.
Any cool restaurants for teens in NYC?
I agree with the suggestion of Korean BBQ - it's fun and delicious. Not trendy but a very unique experience. We like Kum Gang San on 32nd St. but there are others maybe with a party room or more posh atmosphere. My teenage niece/nephew loved it.
Seems like you're most focused on the food (and bravo for that, emerging chowhound), but I'd be remiss not to mention our absolute favorite dinner party with kids is private karaoke rooms at Japas 27, upstairs from East Japanese Restaurant. If you reserve in advance, they offer party packages that include karaoke, sushi and hot food, plus unlimited soft drinks. You can also order off the main menu but that's usually more expensive. Have a great time!
15 high schoolers from Vermont coming to town...and they want lunch
re: Grand Central - Oyster Bar clam chowder is still good, cheap, and fun to eat at those u-shaped counters. And right outside the OB is the famous vaulted ceiling, where they can speak quietly into the corner and be heard by a friend at the opposite end of the vault rib. It's a NY tradition for tourists and non. Might be able to fit into Two Boots - service is nice there and the pizza is spicy good. Chinatown is also a great idea.
Sushi with kids
If you're willing to head east, try East on 27th and 3rd. The kids can choose small plates of sushi from the conveyor belt (sit at a booth) or order hot food from menu. Food is good and very affordable. Upstairs they have private karaoke suites where you can order from the menu and do karaoke (best for ages 10 and up, but younger kids are fascinated by the whole thing). karaoke info is - www.japas27.com.
Any experience with Tony Chachere's frozen turducken?
Haven't tried Tony's but had one from another famous Louisiana purveyor. The meat inside steams rather than roasts, so the texture was mushier than we like. Not the best way to eat duck, for sure! And the cajun rice stuffing inside ours was too spicy for the young'uns and oldsters. If it's the stuffed turkey breast turducken that TC makes, I can't comment - might be delicious. As to making your own? You must have mad boning skills...good luck!
Cottage Gramercy - yes it's feh, but any ok dishes?
I've been there more times than I'd dare admit to the hounds, but generally stick to a few safe items. Going to dinner there with a big group, including kids. Has anyone had a surprisingly good dish?
NY munchy gifts to take home to family?
I agree with the bagel idea - plain bagels travel best - I'd avoid onion, garlic, everything and salt as they get soggy and/or stinky.
The Pickle Guys ship as well - they are the best imho.
Enjoy your visit!
best greek salad
Mediterranean salad at Marseille on 9th avenue is a chopped greek salad with a great lemony dressing - it's my favorite
Lunch options - lower EAST 20s area
Agree with many of the suggestions (although Bar Milano is a bit fancy/pricy for a regular during the week lunch). Would add:
Posto Pizza - 2nd Ave 18th st. - lunch specials are cheap and pizza is miraculously thin and tasty
La Tina's - haven't had the mexican food but their pollo asado sandwich is huge and very tasty, especially with toppings
Grill 21 - 21st between 1st and 2nd. Filipino Cuisine, great, cheap lunch specials. Try the bistek, shrimp scampi, and the tapsilog (fried beef slices marinated in vinegar & soy sauce, fried rice & egg)
Louise's Home Cooking - 2nd Ave 18/19, great breakfasts and all-day home cooking.
quiet place for group to dine, converse mid-town
check out this thread
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/377795
Parents are picky eaters - help!
Concur on Blue Ribbon Bakery, Zoe and Giorgio's - all great places with reasonable prices, great service and entrees under $30. Check out their menus on menupages or their own website - Zoe's menu might be too adventurous for your parents.
Great Cup of Coffee
Agree with Ninth St Espresso, Joe and Grumpy for amazing espresso drinks. And Ninth St. has a new location in Chelsea Market.Would also add Everyman Coffee on 13th between 3rd and 4th - run by an ex-Ninth St. barista. I also like Oren's drip coffee.
Restaurant for a 6-year-old
My kids both loved Koren BBQ when they were 6 - it is a bit risky because you cook the food yourself over a hot grill (which is why they love it). They both love the white radish salad that comes along with it - crunchy and sweet and white rice is served on request. We go to Kum Gam San on 32nd St. Beef and chicken are great for kids - marinated but not spicy and it's a unique experience that is a good entree into more adventurous eating.
Dishes that wowed you
Great question! The mediterranean (greek) salad at Marseille on 9th avenue is really remarkable, especially in a city where greek salad is common.
At 202 in Chelsea Market, the orange ricotta muffin, which they make infrequently, is a mind-blower
Gramercy Park area - Toddler Tolerant and Take In
agree with Petite Abeille - the japanese place across 20th street is also very nice to kids and gives them things to play with.
Bao Noodles - 2nd ave 22/23. Go early - they are nice to kids although there isn't much there that we have found accessible to the kids beyond the fried spring rolls.
Cottage - Irving and 16th. Very easy with kids.
I love taking my kids to East - 28th & 3rd. The food going around on the conveyer may be overwhelming for a toddler but they will provide "kid chopsticks" upon request - take a booth rather than the counter seating. My kids started eating mini-soba soup, shrimp tempura and plain crab sticks there pretty young.
City Bakery has a kids table with books under the stairs. 18th, 5/6
Posto Pizza - 18th & 2nd. Great thin crust pizza and a fun working jukebox (distraction?)
